Back where Gena waited, before the horn sounded…
Her hands shook as she pressed two fingers under Mary's nose. She held her breath. For a moment, she feared nothing would come back, that everything was over.
Then a soft puff of warm air touched her fingertips.
Gena quickly checked Mary's pulse. It was weak… but it was there.
"Mary…" Her voice broke. Tears slipped down her cheeks.
She tore open the bag Ezra packed for her earlier, fingers digging through herbs and cloth — the ones he said were for first aid. She tried to steady her hands but they kept trembling.
She cleaned the blood from Mary's skin, pressing the cloth down to stop bleeding. When she laid the herbs on the torn flesh, Mary twitched and groaned faintly.
Gena exhaled in shaky relief. "Please… don't die…"
A few minutes passed. Gena tied the bandages as best as she could, then turned toward Peter's motionless body. His skin was already turning pale. His eyes half-open, staring at nothing.
"What's the point of all this…" Gena grit her teeth. The cold bit into her knees where she knelt. Her fists clenched so hard her nails dug into her skin. "I couldn't even help him. Ezra is out there fighting that monster and I… I'm just sitting here."
She covered her face with both hands. Her breath came out sharp and uneven.
That was when she heard a voice.
"What happened here?"
Gena flinched and shot upright. A large group stood a few meters away. She hadn't even heard their footsteps, not even the crunch of snow.
Her heart hammered. She stepped back slightly; legs unsteady.
"Could she be the one who took them out?" a boy whispered.
"No way. Look at her — shaking like a leaf," a girl scoffed. She pointed at Gena's trembling hands. "She was beside the bandaged girl… Now that she sees us, she's ready to run. What a coward."
"I hate that type," another girl said.
"It's people like her that dirty the name of the lower branch," a boy added with a click of his tongue.
"That's enough."
Veda stepped forward; his footsteps steady in the snow. His calm eyes swept over them, sharp despite his age. "Not everyone can stand firm. Most of you wouldn't do any better."
He stopped in front of Gena, kneeling a little to meet her eyes.
"If I'm right… you're one of Vera's people. The one sent to find the boy who killed Melo?" he asked.
"Y-Yes…" Gena whispered; head lowered.
"So, what happened?" He looked around… the bodies, the blood, the struggle carved into the snow. His jaw tightened.
Gena opened her mouth but the words stuck.
"This girl is your friend?" Linda, a girl with sharp eyes, pointed at Mary.
"Y-Yes! She and Peter were attacked by Sir Felix's group!" Gena spoke fast, the memory slamming into her again.
"And you just found them here?" a boy beside Veda asked, folding his arms.
"N-No, I…" Gena froze. If she mentioned Ezra…, would they doubt her loyalty towards Lady Vera? Sweat slid down her neck.
Veda watched her closely. "You must have met Felix's group… and that boy Pamela is after."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"That look tells me I'm right," Veda said with a small smile.
"But I don't get it," he continued. "There was clearly a fight… but you three don't look like you could take down Felix's group. Unless Felix was alone or with only a few…" He rubbed his chin, thinking. "Still doesn't seem likely."
"Maybe a third party came," Linda said.
"The kid," the boy next to Veda added.
They kept guessing while Bobby, the one who showed them how to make the No Scent Herb, a boy with gentle hands, checked Mary's breathing.
"Will she… be, okay?" Gena forced out; voice almost gone.
"Yes," Bobby nodded. "You did well."
But then he noticed the bruising on Mary's wrists. The torn clothing. The marks on her skin. His face stiffened.
"I'm… sorry to ask but… was she assaulted?"
Gena's fists shook. Her teeth clenched so hard her jaw hurt. "Yes."
Silence fell instantly.
"Those bastards…" Linda's voice trembled with anger as she curled her fingers into a fist.
"Why would they go that far…" someone whispered.
"Felix and his group are insane," another added.
Veda stepped to Mary's side and gently brushed hair from her forehead. His jaw tightened.
"What's your name?" he asked Gena, not lifting his eyes.
"Gena…"
"And hers?"
"Mary."
Veda nodded. His voice softened. "We'll take care of your friend."
Gena's shoulders shook, a weak breath of relief escaping her.
Linda crossed her arms. "So… that boy probably joined Felix. He might be bossy, but if someone is useful, he'll use them."
Veda turned his head. His eyes were blank, but sharp. "Then we'll do Pamela a favor and kill him. Him and Felix."
Gena gasped. "Wait!"
She grabbed Veda's sleeve without thinking.
He blinked, surprised by her sudden courage.
"Ezra didn't join them!" she blurted. "He helped us! He fought them alone, and chased after them so he could finish it!"
The group stared at her — stunned.
"One kid… fought Felix's group alone?" Karl asked.
"That's impossible," Linda frowned.
"Actually…" Veda sighed. "It could be possible. He did escape Vera before. Ahh, I almost blamed the wrong person." He chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
"No! It's my fault for not saying it earlier…"
"You should have," Linda said sharply.
Gena flinched, head dropping.
"Linda," Veda warned.
"Tsk." Linda looked away. "Whatever."
"She said he's chasing Felix," Karl pointed out. "That means he's in trouble."
"Knowing Felix," Linda muttered, "he must be baiting him into his main group."
Gena stared at them, lost. "What does that mean?"
Karl met her eyes. "His life is in danger."
"Or he's already dead," Linda finished coldly.
"He's not! He's not!" Gena snapped back, stepping forward.
"Huh? Don't raise your voice at me," Linda glared.
"That's enough." Veda stood between them. His shoulders were tense now. "We're going to help him…"
BAAAWW!
A loud horn blared through the forest.
Everyone stopped.
The trial was over.
Some sighed in relief… but Gena's knees weakened. A deep ache settled in her chest.
What if Ezra didn't make it out? What if she let him die?
She looked at her hands. They still shook. If I was stronger… I could have helped him.
Veda moved closer. "Gena." His voice was quiet. "He might have survived. You just have to hope… and wait. I'm sorry we couldn't reach him in time."
He stepped away, leading the others. "Let's move."
Two boys lifted Mary gently and carried her toward the signal smoke. Gena followed behind them, wiping tears from her chin.
***
The survivors gathered at the meeting point, red smoke rising into the sky. Guards searched for anyone too injured to move, carrying those they found into medical trucks.
Some people cried. Some rejoiced. Others stared with hatred at their rivals.
Gena scanned every passing stretcher, every injured body dragged from the trees. Her heart pounded like it wanted to break through her ribs.
She saw Felix's group laughing like nothing happened.
Vera's group stood proud as always.
Pamela glanced at Gena, eyes sharp, then turned away as Veda waved at her with an easy smile.
Gena's eyes darted everywhere — desperate… terrified.
Please… please…
The guards finished loading the last medical cart. Trucks began moving. Her chest tightened.
Then…
A faint view.
Hair dyed in two colors.
An arm dangling off a stretcher.
"Ezra…!"
She shot up from her seat, pressing her face against the window. The truck lurched forward, throwing her back. A few kids laughed at her and threw jokes her way.
Gena gave a weak smile, rubbing the back of her head… but her fist stayed tight on her lap.
Her eyes didn't leave the stretcher outside.
Her fear didn't fade.
Her heart didn't rest.
She waited, hoping he would be fine.